Chapter 38: A Web of Lies

Prince Liam sat in his chamber, his gaze locked on the villa where Raven, as he knew her stayed. He hadn’t seen her since the previous night, and the distance between them felt heavier than usual. Was she avoiding him?

Unease crept into his thoughts.

He called out, summoning Ignis, who materialized before him in a swirling ember of light.

“Go look over Raven,” Liam commanded. “Tell me what she’s doing.”

Ignis hesitated. He knew where Ember had gone. Knew that she had left to find Melanie, knew that her powers had weakened. But he could not reveal what he knew—because Liam did not yet know who she truly was.

With a silent nod, Ignis took flight, streaking through the sky like a comet, too fast for any onlookers to truly see.

When he arrived at the villa, he hovered outside, his gaze falling upon Michael, who lay within, looking pale and exhausted.

Ignis frowned, thoughts swirling. Should he tell the prince about this? About the sick man now occupying Ember’s home?

After a moment of hesitation, he returned to Liam.

“Raven is gone,” Ignis reported. “A man stays in the villa now. An older man wearing a robe. He looks ill.”

Liam stood sharply, tension snapping through him.

Who was the intruder?

Was Raven in danger?

Without another thought, he rushed out of his chamber, heading straight for the villa, fearing for her safety with every step.

Prince Liam rushed down the corridor, his heart pounding, thoughts spinning as he made his way to Raven’s villa. If she was in danger, he needed to reach her now.

But just before he could turn the final corner, a familiar voice called out behind him.

“Liam?”

He halted, turning swiftly to see Lady Elara, his childhood companion standing with her arms crossed, an amused expression dancing across her lips.

“You seem flustered,” she noted, stepping closer.

Liam sighed impatiently. “I don’t have time for this, Elara.”

She tilted her head curiously. “Going to see Raven, are you?”

At the mention of Raven’s name, Liam’s attention snapped to her fully. “You know something?”  "Who is the man that lay there?"

Elara’s lips curled into a coy smile. “Oh, Liam. You really didn’t know?”

A cold feeling settled in his chest. “Know what?”

Elara leaned in slightly, as if savoring the moment. “Raven isn’t alone anymore.”

Liam frowned. “What do you mean?”

“She has a man in her villa,” Elara said, her voice laced with casual cruelty. “Her fiancé.”

Liam stilled completely, the weight of her words sinking in.

Her fiancé?

Elara’s smile widened, enjoying the way his expression darkened. “I heard them last night,” she added, voice light with mock innocence. “All night, actually. Love sounds. Passionate ones.”

Liam felt the blood in his veins turn ice cold.

His fingers curled into fists, but he forced himself to keep his composure.

Raven was engaged? To someone else?

Had he been a fool all along?

Without another word Liam stalked back toward the castle, each step heavier than the last.

Elara’s words twisted in his mind—Raven was engaged?

Love sounds. All night.

His jaw tightened, rage and disbelief coiling in his chest like a storm.

Had he been blind? Had she ever truly cared?

He had spent weeks worrying about her, wondering if he had pushed her away, and yet—she had been with someone else all along?

A sharp, bitter laugh nearly escaped his lips.

Of course. He had been a fool.

The thought burned through him, jealousy lacing its edges, turning his concern into something darker, something raw.

He had always prided himself on being unshaken, unreadable—but tonight? Tonight, he was neither.

He slammed open the doors to his chamber, the flames in the lanterns flickering violently as if sensing his rage.

For the first time, Liam didn’t want to hear the truth.

He wanted to burn the lie.

--

Lady Elara stood just outside Raven’s villa, her expression cold and calculating. The lie had been planted—Prince Liam believed Raven had another man in her life. Now, she would take it a step further.

She turned to the guards stationed nearby, lifting her chin in authority. “Remove the man from the villa immediately.”

The soldiers hesitated. “Lady Elara, we have no orders from the prince—”

Elara let out a cool laugh, folding her arms. “You don’t need Liam’s orders. You need mine.”

“I am ordering you now. That man is trespassing. He is to be thrown out.”

The guards exchanged uncertain glances, but none dared to challenge her standing.

Inside, Michael stirred, barely strong enough to register the sudden noise outside the villa.

Then—the door slammed open, and he was met with the cold steel of a blade pointed at his chest.

Michael’s breath hitched as the soldiers moved forward. “You are to vacate the premises immediately.”

Weak but resolute, Michael lifted his gaze. He didn’t know who had given the command—but he knew it wasn’t Ember.

Where was she?

And more importantly, why was he being targeted?

Elara watched from a distance, satisfied as Michael was dragged from the villa, his presence erased just as quickly as he had arrived.

The soldiers exchanged glances, unsure.

Elara narrowed her eyes.

“I am Prince Liam’s future bride—or did the palace forget who will be standing beside him when he takes the throne?”

Her words settled over them like ice.

Liam had yet to name a bride, but Elara had positioned herself as the inevitable choice—and no one dared to challenge her.

The guards straightened, their uncertainty fading into submission.

She turned on her heels, lips curling into a pleased smile.

Let Liam think Raven had moved on.

Let him believe the lie.

--

Michael walked away, his back rigid despite the exhaustion weighing him down. He would not beg, not even as the guards pushed him out like a forgotten stray.

From above, Liam stood on the balcony, watching the scene unfold below—not stopping it.

Ignis hovered beside him, embers flickering erratically, his frustration barely contained.

“Prince, this is wrong.”

Liam didn’t turn his gaze from the retreating figure. “He isn’t supposed to be there.”

Ignis’s flames flared, his voice sharper. “And who decided that? Elara?”

At the name, Liam’s jaw tightened, irritation flashing across his face. “She didn’t lie. She said Raven’s fiancé was in her villa.”

Ignis let out a crackling sigh, his ember-light pulsing. “And you believed her?”

Liam’s fingers curled at his sides. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because it doesn’t feel right.” Ignis’s voice was insistent now, pressing against the walls Liam had built around his reasoning. “You saw him, Liam. Did he look like someone Raven would love?”

Liam hesitated.

Michael had been pale, exhausted—broken, yet proud. Not someone basking in the comfort of love.

But the idea of Raven having someone else—of her moving on from him—had already sunk too deep.

“It’s not my concern.” His voice was flat, final. “Why should I allow her fiancé to stay in her villa? He has no place there.”

Ignis flared with frustration, his flames dancing violently. “Because Raven isn’t here! And because you don’t know the truth, Liam. You’re letting your emotions blind you.”

Liam turned away, refusing to engage further. “I’ve made my decision.”

Ignis watched him, the embers of his form dimming slightly.

Then—without another word, he vanished, streaking toward the last place he had sensed Ember’s magic before it had faded.

If Liam wouldn’t listen, Ignis would find the truth himself.